West Sussex · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Kirdford, West Sussex
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Kirdford.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas and paella menus
Live tapas catering in Kirdford
How our tapas catering works in Kirdford
Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. We’re frequently asked to cater work receptions and anniversary parties, serving tortilla española, padrón peppers and patatas bravas.
Near Kirdford, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, with each paella cooked in its own pan.
- Where
- Kirdford (RH14)
- Area hub
- West Sussex
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Occasions we cook for in Kirdford
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Tapas before paella
- Birthday drinks
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Work receptions
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Billingshurst station, about 4.7 miles east.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Whether travel is included
Towns and villages near Kirdford
Also in Kirdford
Tapas for events in Kirdford
Kirdford is about 10 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Wherever your event is in the RH14 area, we can bring the pans to you. Kirdford is one of 371 towns and villages in West Sussex where we cook. Our events stretch from Kirdford to Guildford (about 15 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Petworth House (4.1 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
We cook at events all over the RH14 postcode area and the streets around it. That could mean an event in a garden on Oakside, Poplar Walk and Maple Drive or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Kirdford, we also cover Mackerel's Common (1 mile north), Balls Cross (2 miles west), Wisborough Green (2 miles east), Plaistow (2 miles north) and Ifold (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (10 miles east), Littlehampton (15 miles south), Storrington (9 miles south-east), Billingshurst (5 miles east), Bewbush (15 miles east) and Angmering (15 miles south).
Green spaces nearby include Shillinglee Lake and The Mens.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Canapés need staff to serve
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
Live paella or other catering?
Plated starters need a kitchen. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Kirdford hosts choose us
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Catering across West Sussex, including Kirdford
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
Should I cook it myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- The paellas you choose
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Timings and hours
Larger events typically cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Anything your venue supplies
- The courses you’d like
- The address or venue name
- A picture of where we’d cook
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
The process
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Sunset in Kirdford is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
What we need at the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Parking near the venue
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Menu ideas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
Planners, venues and businesses
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’ll work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Organising a club, school or community event in Kirdford? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Common questions in Kirdford
Is Kirdford too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do we need staff for canapés?
We can provide staff. Canapés need staff to serve.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Do you cater in Kirdford?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Kirdford is within our area. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. Some venues have suitable spaces; we’ll check with you and the venue.
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff